A look at New Jersey colleges' enrollment trends

With the fall semester well underway, South Jersey community colleges and universities are reporting enrollment numbers that reflect national trends.

The two-year colleges report a decline as the economy strengthens and many adults prefer to earn a paycheck.

"We are a counter-cyclical industry," said David Baime, a senior vice president of the American Association of Community Colleges who acts as the organization's chief lobbyist. "When the economy improves, the enrollment dips or softens."